The module aims to:

Provide students with knowledge and understanding of financial reporting procedures and the rules which govern financial reporting disclosure, recognition, presentation and measurement;

Develop students’ knowledge and skills in financial statement analysis, including financial statement relationships, to enable performance of a fundamental analysis of a company’s performance thereby facilitating equity or fixed income security valuation in other modules.

(LE1) Flexible and adaptable.
Students will understand that the finance sector is fast-changing and influenced significantly by worldwide events as well as technological advancements. The module will equip students with techniques, knowledge and confidence required to face these challenges through the use of varied learning and assessment methods used, such as case studies and financial statement analysis.

(LE2) A team player.
Some assessed work will require students to work in virtual groups and manage the interaction and relationships with other group members. In doing so, they will gain experience in negotiation, persuasion, influencing and managing conflict. This will be assessed as part of group assignments.

(LE3) Internationally aware.
Our teaching and research community is drawn from around the world and our students are exposed to business ideas and cultures from beyond the UK. Furthermore, online delivery will enable a collaborative approach with other practitioners from diverse international backgrounds, enabling a richer experience.

(LE4) A leader.
We instil among our students the understanding and confidence to explore and develop their own leadership approach and development needs.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate a systematic understanding, knowledge, and a critical appraisal of current financial reporting regulations, procedures and practices.

(LO2) Students will be able to demonstrate the application of knowledge and understanding of financial reporting procedures and practices perform financial analysis on an entity to interpret its performance and financial position in complex scenarios.

(LO3) Students will be able to demonstrate conceptual understanding that enables them to evaluate financial analysis methodologies and develop critiques of them at forefront of the discipline.

(LRE1) A problem solver.
Students will be challenged to critically analyse company financial statements in order to dermine the investment viability. They will do this by analysing the financial performance, financial position and liquidity/solvency of a company and presenting a considered opinion or course of action in their final assessment.

(LRE2) Numerate.
Students will be required to demonstrate a good level of numerical application across the syllabus through the assessments set.

(LRE3) Commercially aware.
The subject matter will be delivered by reference to real-world events. Students will be required to demonstrate the implications and impacts of these events on these subject areas. Students will also be required to share their commercial experiences in group tasks, where appropriate.

(LRE4) Organised and able to work under pressure.
Students will be expected to plan scheduled work and meet assessment deadlines. This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and assessment deadlines.

(LRE5) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
Students will have opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills through virtual group discussions, online presentations and coursework.

(LRE6) IT literate.
Students will have opportunities to improve their IT skills. Students will demonstrate skills in the use of software applications including word processing, visual presentations, databases, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting coursework. The nature of the module in terms of online delivery will enable students to develop skills in using a virtual learning/communications environment.

(LRE7) A lifelong learner.
The module will embed key finance skills and an awareness which will continue to grow as students are exposed to future experiences in their careers.

(LRE8) Ethically aware.
Our teaching, learning and assessment strategy ensures that all students are exposed to ideas of sustainable business practice and ethical awareness within the finance industry.

The module will be delivered over an 8-week period, primarily through a series of weekly e-lectures. These will be supported by individual online tasks and discussion boards, which will be used to develop and apply learning. These will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 24 hours
Description: The e-Lectures will equate to 3 hours/week over 8 weeks, undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Students will undertake 4 hours of synchronous activity over the 8 weeks in order to appreciate the practical applications of the techniques delivered on the module. This will take place through group and individual sessions which will be moderated by the module instructor.

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 4 hours
Description: These group and individual sessions will e quate to 4 hours over 8 weeks, undertaken synchronously. The dates and times of these sessions will be provided at the start of the module.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 122 hours
Description: This will involve directed and independent reading, independent research, and preparation for assessment.

Financial reporting standards (IFRS and GAAP).

The principal financial statements – Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Cash Flow Statements.

Financial reporting quality.

Financial Reporting Analysis of inventory.

Financial Reporting Analysis of long-lived assets.

Financial Reporting Analysis of taxation.

Financial Reporting Analysis of debt and debt instruments .

Analysis of off-balance-sheet assets and liabilities.

Financial Reporting Analysis of pensions, stock compensation, and other employee benefits.

Ratio and financial analysis.